Doctor insights on:
Will I Be Able To Keep My Nipples During A Mastectomy

1

May or may not:
Most commonly a mastectomy for breast cancer includes removal of the nipple and areola. There is a type of mastectomy called nipple sparing mastectomy. This procedure may not be appropriate for cancer treatment in many situations. You need to talk to your breast surgeon to see if your condition is suitable for this procedure. Not all surgeons do this procedure.
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2

Yes:
Sometimes nipples are cracked before delivery because the skin is dry and rubbing against irritating clothing. After delivery you can try wearing breast shells to prevent chaffing from clothing or you can use hydrogels to soothe cracked nipples. After delivery cracked nipples is often a sign of a poor latch so see a lactation consultant asap.
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4

Yes:
Most women who have undergone breast reduction surgery have good preservation of breast ducts to nipples, especially in the upper half of the breast which are usually not resected. Likewise breast feeding after augmentation (breast implants) works fine as these are placed under the pectoral muscles.
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5

Love and peace:
It is important that your mother, you and your family understand the diagnosis and have been given all of the treatment options. I hope she is not undergoing a mastectomy out of fear but because she understands this choice and was given the option of reconstruction (making a new breast). Surround mom with love and peace. Allow her to express her feelings.
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6

Maybe:
Some reduction procedures leave more glandular tissue intact behind the nipple than others, so it will depend on the type of surgery and the individual. The possibility of successful breast feeding is definitely decreased by a reduction.
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9

Contact OB:
You can contact your OB for assistance in inducing lactation. ( hormonal manipulation) you may want to contact the la leche league @ 800-525-3243 or lactation consultants affiliated with the OB services of area hospitals. These groups can get you started.
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10

Depends:
On how long you plan to nurse and how often you will need to be away from the baby. Make sure you talk to a lactation consultant and other moms who have nursed to get lots of advice. The best part about pumping (besides knowing your baby is getting great nutrition when you are not there) is being able to nurse and not dealing with bottles when you are home with him or her.
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11

Why use one ?:
Simply letting the baby be your breast pump is one way to avoid it's use.They are mush better at emptying you than the pump & preparation for use is a lot less burdensome.If you want one around for any reason, use it as long as you wish.
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13

May not feel him. :
If it is your first pregnancy, you may not feel him cause you wont show. He is likely below your belly button about a hand width away. You may not start showing until 20-25 weeks.
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14

Usually not:
As a cardiology fellow who has seen hundreds of these procedures, the breasts were covered with a towel as certain areas have to be accessible to get the right image. For example to get a good apical 4 chanber, you will be asked to lean on your left side and probe will be under your left breast in ribs. A bra makes that difficult. Please ask your cardiologist any questions/cobcerns you have.
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Varies, not normal:
Post mastectomybreast reconstruction is still limited in this day and age to return a perfectly normal breast to a woman. Our current limited goal is to return form or shape to a reconstructed breast but we cannot return the functionality of a breast nor the normal sensation. Having said that, nature is amazing as some patients do get some feeling in their reconstructed breasts in 6-12 months.
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16

Usually:
Breast augmentation leaves most of the ducts connected to the nipple. Therefore, breast feeding is still possible. When the incision is placed below the breast in the lower breast fold, there is usually not problem. The only time that some ducts get cut during a breast augmentation is with a periareolar incision when the cut is around the areola of the breast. Even then, you should still be ok.
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18

You can but risks?:
The ability to nurse depends on whether the ductal system was interrupted or nerve supply to the nipple may have been compromised. However, that is usually rare, and in most instances, women with a straightforward breast aug particularly if performed through the crease incision, are able to nurse. The next question is: if you can, should you? That is more difficult and there is great controversy.
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19

Yes:
Breast lumps usually do not interfere with nursing. When you have your annual visit with your gynecologist, you should voice your concerns. Your doctor may send you for an ultrasound to determine is the tissue is just lumpy, or if there are cysts or actually lumps in there.
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